New Kermit councilmember looking toward the future

KERMIT - Newly elected Kermit City Council member Tammy Preece Hodge said she “wants to paint city hall pink” following Tuesday’s election that created a council equally divided along gender lines.

Municipal elections took place throughout Mingo County Tuesday, with most candidates running unopposed, and city governments unchanged by election results. Voter turnouts were very light in Matewan and Williamson.

However, a contested mayoral race and council election brought Kermit voters out to the polls.

“We had a more than 100 percent turnout,” Mayor Johnny Linville said, explaining that there were seven provisional votes.

A provisional ballot is a used when a voter’s right to request a ballot has been challenged by the poll clerk. Reasons for this may include the voter’s registration record is not available at the time of the election, the signature written by the person in the poll book does not correspond with the signature on the registration record or other if the registration record indicates any other legal disqualifications.

While there are 246 registered voters in Kermit, Linville said there were 246 votes cast.

“We had a good clean election,” Linville said. “There was no dirt thrown, and I appreciate that.”

The mayor won his race against Tim Crum by an almost 3-to-1 margin.

The freshman councilperson, Tammy Hodge, comes from a family tradition of public service. Tammy is the daughter John Preece, who served as mayor, as did her grandmother, the late Callie Preece, the town’s only female mayor. Tammy’s uncle, Wallace Miller, also served as Kermit mayor.

“I have always been intrigued by politics,” Hodge said. “I have known the incumbents since I was child, I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Hodge said Mayor Linville and the council had done a lot of good things for the town.

“If I can be half the public servant my family members have been, I will be happy,” she said. “I want to make sure there is good communication, that we get input from everyone, and make sure everyone is on the same page.”

Hodge said she wants to work toward creating recreational opportunities for the young people of the community.

“We have the Kermit Area Youth Athletic Association,” Hodge said. “They are really great. I want to work get some funds, some grants maybe, we need activities for the youth.”

Hodge said she felt great things were attainable if elected officials work together.

“I want us all to share our ideas and visions,” she said. “It’s our duty to do what is best and what is right for our town.”